PSY 301 • Introduction To Psychology

43152 • Fall 2012
Meets TTH 4:00PM-5:30PM

This Introductory Psychology section will be online and live at the assigned time. A rotating group of 40-80 students will be invited to attend selected class presentations. Introductoy Psychology is designed to give the students a broad overview of the theory, methods, and findings of modern-day psychology. This is a computer-intensive course whereby students will be required to check into every class via their personal computer. In addition to daily benchmark quizzes, students will be expected to discuss class topics, take surveys, and participate in exercises on their computers. Although there is no textbook, online reading assignements will be assigned for each class. Grades will be based on the daily bechmarks and four writing assignments. For more course information please visit:

PSY 341K • Personality Assessment

43300 • Spring 2012
Meets T 3:30PM-6:30PM SEA 2.108

This class will teach students about the principles and practice of assessing personality. The early lectures will start with basic methods (e.g., self-reports) and will use them to demonstrate fundamental measurement principles. The class will then focus on several specific methods for assessing personality. Throughout the course, demonstrations and exercises will be used to illustrate the lecture material.

This course carries the Writing Flag. Writing Flag courses are designed to give you experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback to help you improve your writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one or more assignments, and to read and discuss your peers' work. So you should expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written work.

PSY 301 • Introduction To Psychology

43040 • Fall 2011
Meets TTH 3:30PM-5:00PM BUR 106

Daily benchmarks and grading. Although psychology is fun and exciting, don't expect it to be an easy course. Having taught this class dozens of times, we expect you to immerse yourself into the readings and lectures. This is an idea class as opposed to a simple fact class. We are more concerned with the ideas and implications of what Freud or Skinner thought than with their birthdays or favorite colors. All of the assessments will stress psychological concepts and their relationships to other concepts and to practical examples.

Rather than thinking of grading as a result of exams, tests, or quizzes, we think of this class as an opportunity to learn to ideas and perspectives. Instead of exams, we call them assessments or benchmarks. The benchmarks reflect student progress over the course of the semester. Although the lectures and readings are the same for both classes, the Pennebaker and Gosling sections will have separate benchmark assessments. If you are signed up for the 2:00 class, you can only take the 2:00 exam; ditto for the 3:30 class. The two sections will have somewhat different benchmark questions and may emphasize slightly different issues. Because any given lecture may be somewhat different in one class versus the other, be sure and attend the class you signed up for.

There will typically be an online benchmark at the beginning of every class. The benchmark assessments will generally include 8 questions – roughly half from lecture and half from the reading. Of the 8 questions, 5 or 6 will come from the previous lecture and most recent readings. The remaining 2-3 questions will be cumulative from previous parts of the course. In addition, at least one question will be specially selected from questions you have missed on your previous exams. Counting the first day of class, there are 28 lectures. The second lecture will be the first benchmark but it won’t count in order to give everyone the opportunity to learn how the system works. The remaining 26 classes will all have benchmarks that will count towards your final grade.

The final grade is based on your benchmark scores and the completion of the writing requirement. Each benchmark is worth 3.6% of your final grade. Your three lowest assessments are worth only 1%. The benchmark assessments are given at the same time at the beginning of class. If you are sick or have an emergency of some kind, you can take the benchmark remotely as long as you take it at the appointed time. If that doesn’t work, you can simply count up to three assessments that you miss as one of the lowest grades worth only 1% each. Because of this policy, there will be no makeup exams except under extremely unusual circumstances. Note that you are restricted to taking only five benchmark assessments remotely. If more than five are done remotely, you will be required to take supplementary exams during the final exam period on the supplemental assessments.

PSY 301 • Introduction To Psychology

43000 • Fall 2010
Meets TTH 3:30PM-5:00PM BUR 106

The purpose of this class is to explore the many ways in which psychology illuminates our understanding of thinking and behavior and to examine critically theories and explanations of psychological phenomena.

Topics will include: the brain and its hemispheres, stress and lie detection, sleep, dreaming, and consciousness, cognitive and moral development, Freud and personality, schizophrenia and depression, and social psychology across cultures.

Course Requirements

Five multiple-choice exams will test your understanding of the material. In-class exercises and the departmental research requirement (subject pool) will provide you with a close-up view of research methods. In addition to the class work, all Psychology 301 students must complete a research requirement by either participating in experimental sessions within the Psychology Dept. or by writing a research paper(the topic must be approved by the TA).

Grading Policy

The five tests. Your final grade in the course is based on your performance on the five exams -- and your turning in your writing assignments. There is no final exam in the course. The computation of your final grade is based on the following:

Lowest of your five tests = 0% Other 4 exams @22.5% each = 90%

Writing assignments. Five writing assignments are due over the course of the semester. You will be graded simply on whether or not you turn them in. Each writing assignment is worth 2%, all 5 count for 10%.

There is no extra credit for this course.

Tests are non-cumulative. The format of the test will be multiple-choice questions. You will be tested on the content of the textbook and lectures (including demonstrations and videos). Everyone is expected to take tests at the regularly scheduled time. The best 4 out of 5 exam grades will be used to determine the course grade. You can drop any of the exams for any reason BUT YOU MUST PASS THE LAST EXAM. If you do not pass the final exam, your score on that exam will count as one of your 4 grades. If you do pass the final exam, then the best 4 grades will used (irrespective of your score on the final exam).

PSY 341K • Personality Assessment-W

44140 • Fall 2009
Meets T 3:30PM-6:30PM SEA 2.108

This class will teach students about the principles and practice of assessing personality. The early lectures will start with basic methods (e.g., self-reports) and will use them to demonstrate fundamental measurement principles. The class will then focus on several specific methods for assessing personality. Throughout the course, demonstrations and exercises will be used to illustrate the lecture material.

In addition, topic-relevant course readings will be distributed throughout the course.

ClassTopicReadings

Sept, 1st Introduction & Background

What should we measure?

Sept, 8th Methods: Unobtrusive measures

Sept, 15th Methods: Unobtrusive measures

Sept, 22 Methods: Self-reports

Sept, 29 Methods: Self-reports

Oct, 6 Measurement & scale construction

Oct, 13 Measurement & scale construction

Oct, 20 Midterm Exam (first half of class)

Methods: Behavior in situ

Oct, 27 Methods: Informant reports

Nov, 3 Methods: Personality judgment

Nov, 10 Methods: Trace measures

Nov, 17 Methods:Interviews & biographical data

Nov, 24 Methods: Test data

Dec, 1 Prediction paradigm & applications

Examinations: Examinations will be held on Tuesday October 20th, and Wednesday December 9th (2-5pm), covering lectures, laboratory exercises, and readings covered so far.

"Lab" exercises: Participation in class exercises and discussions is required. If students miss classes, it is their responsibility to find out what they missed.

Papers: Three papers will be due during the semester. The final paper will be due at 5pm on Friday 4th December. Details on the nature of these papers will be discussed in class. Late papers will receive a score of 0. Part of the grade of each paper will be based on the quality of writing. It is each student's responsibility to be aware of the deadline and to start their paper in plenty of time.

NOTE:The Psychology Department will drop all students who do not meet the following prerequisites:

(a) PSY 301 with a C or better

(b) PSY 418 (or an equivalent listed in the course schedule) with a C or better

(c) Upper-Division standing (60 hours completed)

The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY.

PSY 341K • Personality Assessment-W

43045 • Spring 2006
Meets TTH 2:00PM-3:30PM ETC 2.102

Topics of contemporary interest that may vary from semester to semester. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

PSY 341K • Personality Assessment-W

42620 • Fall 2004
Meets TTH 11:00AM-12:30PM RLM 5.112

Topics of contemporary interest that may vary from semester to semester. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

PSY 341K • Personality Assessment-W

41170 • Fall 2001
Meets TTH 12:30PM-2:00PM SZB 422

Topics of contemporary interest that may vary from semester to semester. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

PSY 341K • Personality Assessment-W

40885 • Fall 2000
Meets TTH 11:00AM-12:30PM GAR 5

Topics of contemporary interest that may vary from semester to semester. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Graham, L. T., & Gosling, S. D. (2012). Impressions of World of Warcraft players’ personalities based on their usernames: Interobserver consensus but no accuracy.Journal of Research in Personality, 46, 599-603.

Graham, L. T., & Gosling, S. D. (2013). Personality profiles associated with different motivations for playing World of Warcraft. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 16, 189-193.

Rentfrow, P. J., & Gosling, S. D. (2003). The do re mi’s of everyday life: The structure and personality correlates of music preferences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 1236-1256. [Available in pdf]

de Vries, R., Gosling, S. D., & Potter, J. (2011). Income inequality and personality: Are less equal U.S. states less agreeable? Social Science and Medicine, 72, 1978-1985. [doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.03.046]

Personality in Non-Human Animals

Bensky, M. K., Gosling, S. D., & Sinn, D. L. (2013). The World from a Dog’s Point of View: A Review and Synthesis of Dog Cognition Research. Advances in the Study of Behavior, 45, 209-406. [DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-407186-5.00005-7]

Gosling, S. D., & Bonnenburg, A. V. (1998). An integrative approach to personality research in anthrozoology: Ratings of six species of pets and their owners. Anthrozoös, 11, 184-156. [Available in pdf]

Srivastava, S., John, O. P., Gosling, S. D., & Potter, J. (2003). Development of personality in early and middle adulthood: Set like plaster or persistent change? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 1041-1053. [Available in pdf]

Research

Everyday Manifestations of Personality

This work explores how personality is revealed in real-world contexts in everyday life. I am especially interested in how individuals select and craft the environments in which they dwell to suit their personalities. I argue that individuals consciously and unconsciously leave traces of their individuality in the spaces around them. In turn, others may use these traces to form impressions about the occupants. Some of these impressions are accurate but others are not. I am becomingly increasingly interested in how individuals use their space to regulate their cognitive and emotional states (e.g., by sitting in certain parts of the room or going to particular neighborhoods); this last area of research is driving my interest in geographical analyses of psychological traits. My collaborators and I examine a number of different environments:

Social environments (e.g., the places and activities where you spend your time)

Animal Personality

This work examines personality or temperament in non-human animals. The ultimate goal of this work is to: (a) develop animal models to inform research in personality, social, and health psychology, (b) use perceptions of animal personality to understand general processes in personality perception, (c) apply our understanding of personality to promote animal and human welfare.

Methods for Collecting Data Useful for Research in the Social Sciences

Since 1996 we have been collecting data using the internet. In addition to reaping the benefits of Internet research (e.g., large and relatively diverse samples), we are also evaluating the costs and benefits of using the Internet to gather data in psychology.